What Pia Saminiano Can Teach You About Dreams

Some would say that being realistic is the rational thing to do in various areas of our lives: in relationships, schools, and even in careers. They tell us to look first before we jump; that security is paramount to everything else. Pia Saminiano, however, would beg to differ.

What led Pia to her leap of faith is accidentally stumbling upon her passion. She visited Marikina to get her shoes repaired, and left with profound curiosity about shoemaking. She found herself coming back to Marikina every Saturday for three months straight, buying various leather goods and hide, and eventually, tools.

“Don’t be afraid of change,” Pia advises.

She founded Enoch Leatherware by the end of 2019. But even though she already had her passion, her purpose would still be a little ways to go. Sharing in her November 14 webinar Enoch Leatherware: Passion and Purpose that she had spent several years in the IT industry, it wasn’t after the pandemic struck that Pia came to the realization that she wanted something more.

“High pressure, toxic environment. Inisip ko, do I really want to stay here?” She says. By then, she was set. She already had a budding business she was passionate about. It’s time to focus on it full time.. But for her, it didn’t really feel like a decision: it was things falling into place.

While building their studio, Pia met Alan, a differently-abled person and they eventually got him as an employee. From then on, Enoch’s advocacy sprang to life: where they will be training persons with disabilities to prepare them for a better future. This is the purpose that propels them: empowering people with life-changing skills.

Enoch Leatherware continues to grow, already selling their products all over the Philippines. Even more, their advocacy of helping differently-abled persons through Enoch is truly an inspiring tale of blending passion with purpose. “Don’t be afraid of change,” Pia advises. In embracing everything life has to offer, even the unplanned moments, we may end up somewhere better than we can dream of.